Community Spirit

(WXIA) -- Tuesday is National Pancake Day, and all Atlanta-area IHOP locations are celebrating by offering free short stacks to customers who support Children's Miracle Network.

Every year, IHOP restaurants raise money for children's hospitals nationwide, including Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, on National Pancake Day. Diners have the option of making a donation in exchange for free buttermilk pancakes.

Reigning Miss Georgia Maggie Bridges stopped by the IHOP in Chamblee Tuesday morning, where she served breakfast and spoke with Children's Miracle Network Champion Sutton Burnett. Other local Miracle Children visited the IHOP restaurants in Peachtree City, Smyrna and Woodstock.

(WXIA) -- Kroger customers in metro Atlanta recently showed that they are a charitable bunch.

During the final two weeks in May, shoppers raised $232,000 for the Children's Miracle Network through the Miracle Balloons promotion.

For only $1, a customer could purchase a paper balloon to hang in a local Kroger. All proceeds from the fundraiser went directly to Children's Miracle Network hospitals and health networks, such as Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

"Kroger customers consistently show their care for our communities by constantly going above and beyond with their charitable donations," Glynn Jenkins, spokesperson for Kroger's Atlanta division, said in a release. "Through their support of the Miracle Balloons program, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of children."

Hosea Feed the Hungry estimates it will feed 10,000 families during its MLK Day meal, which began at 10 a.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.

More than 3,000 people rolled up their sleeves to serve with Hands On Atlanta, beautifying such areas as City of Refuge and Chastain Memorial Park.

Georgia Power employees spent the day volunteering at Lutheran Towers, a housing development for seniors in Midtown Atlanta. They also assembled, labeled and distributed collection boxes at Rockdale Emergency Relief in Conyers.

(WXIA) -- Every year, 11Alive News honors extraordinary metro Atlanta residents who make a daily difference in the community.

The annual Community Service Awards recognize some of the area's unsung heroes.

11Alive is accepting nominees for the 39th annual Community Service Awards. This year's dinner and awards ceremony will be held Saturday, Apr. 22. Proceeds benefit a local charity; the 2014 recipient is the Ron Clark Academy.

To nominate a deserving person, visit 11Alive.com/CSA and click on the nomination form link at the top of the page. The deadline is Jan. 10.

CARROLLTON, Ga. -- The University of West Georgia will hold its very first all-college service day this Friday, Oct. 18.

The event is hosted by the school's College of Social Sciences and the Community Foundation of West Georgia.

"Every day, the College of Social Sciences at UWG serves humanity and does public good through teaching, scholarship and service," said Dr. Amber Smallwood, the college's dean. "The all-college day of service is another opportunity to increase our civic engagement and grow our own awareness of some of the needs in our local community."

On service day, UWG students, professors and staff members will work at several non-profits in the west Georgia community, including Keep Carroll Beautiful, the Carroll County Humane Society and two shelters.

"We had nearly 50 people sign up within 48 hours of announcing the first all-college service day on email," Smallwood said.

Smart Lunch, Smart Kid provides nutritious meals in the summertime for children who normally rely on free or reduced-price lunches during the school year.

WellCare and Gas South employees joined the 11Alive team in making sandwiches and putting together lunch bags. Each Smart Lunch, Smart Kid meal consists of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, fruit snacks and a bottle of water.

Action Ministries hopes to feed at least 200,000 children across north Georgia through the 2013 Smart Lunch, Smart Kid outreach.

ATLANTA -- The Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (FACAA) recently announced Georgia Gives Day, to take place on Thursday, December 6.

According to the FACAA, Georgia Gives Day gives people across the state an opportunity to donate to their choice of a nonprofit organization, an effort in total to help change the lives of people in need.

Those participating can donate to a cause nearby by searching locations, or to a cause for a special reason, where organizations are listed by category.